| The Birth of Cooper Dylan By Sue As we prepared to go to the hospital at 5:00 am on Thursday May 8th 2003 for our scheduled C-section, I lost my plug. What a wonderful way for God to tell me that today was the day for Cooper�s birth. I was so happy and finally relieved and trusting that this was the right thing to do. While we showered, dressed and double-checked my suitcase we were both smiling uncontrollably. How miraculous today was going to be, today would be Cooper�s birthday. We arrived at the hospital 6 am, right on schedule for pre-op, and butterflies swarmed in my stomach. Everything felt so surreal. How could I be preparing to have a baby? It was like I was going in for a root canal. My husband Danny paced the floors and after approximately an hour of paperwork, taken by 3 different nurses, I was escorted to the OR to prep for surgery. Danny and I gave each other a kiss and he offered me a reassuring smile that he�d be there shortly. I worried about the time we would have to spend apart because I needed his support throughout the preparations as well, but I reminded myself that it wouldn�t be long before he could join me. As I was taken into the OR I was well aware of what was happening and what was going to happen and I admit I was a little shaken. I felt every pinch and prick of the spinal block and they even had to do it twice because the first time wasn't in the proper area. The second time my right leg jumped as pain shot through it and then it went numb (the Dr had hit the nerve). I could then feel the heat of the meds entering my back and traveling down my legs. It was the strangest feeling; it was like hot water that ran inside of my body. The effects were immediate, the Dr advised me that I would start to feel tingling in my legs and I replied, "oh no they're already numb". The Dr chuckled and had to help me lie back on the operating table since I could no longer feel or move my legs. After I was prepped Danny was in the room with me and we were then ready for the incision. I was nauseous twice during the surgery but with an oxygen tube felt better and was actually aware of what was happening. Our Dr advised us of the time for birth and that I would feel the pressure of them removing Cooper. Boy, was he right! There was a lot of pressure, it felt like someone was jumping on my stomach as they were pushing him out. But the amazing thing is that we got a lot of pictures of his actual birth and I got to hear Cooper's first cry. I immediately started crying at that beautiful sound, this was our son and Spencer�s little brother�. What an amazing thing. Immediately after the surgery I met Dan and Cooper in our room. I wanted to nurse right away but was still having some side effects form the surgery and while I was holding Coop I suddenly felt like I was going to drop him. So after a while when I was able to start feeling my legs again I nursed and Cooper latched on perfectly. He has a head full on dark blonde hair and looks a lot like my sister'ss baby pictures. Spencer visited us in the hospital but was terrified to see his mommy in the bed and looked straight through Cooper all together. I guess it�s going to be a while for adjusting. Cooper is eating every 3 hrs and eating like a champ. Even after his circumcision he waiting a while but still ate. We don�t need the nipple shield this time, horay! We were visited by all three grandparents again and it was wonderful. They each held and adored Cooper as well as made Spencer feel like a big brother. It is amazing how alike they look as well as how different they look. You can definitely tell they�re brothers but they are so different too. It is so awe inspiring to see those innocent big beautiful eyes looking at me. I feel completely different than I did with Spencer, and I guess it�s just because I know what to expect and how fast it is all going to fly by. I am reveling in this quiet alone time I get with only Cooper, because I know when I get home it�s going to be a different story. My recovery has been great. I was ready to get up and walk around that night of surgery. A complete difference from the first time when I could barely walk after 3 days. I�m not in much pain but I can tell the difference when the meds where off because my whole body aches. I started walking around the room and took a shower on the first day and then was walking down the halls by that afternoon! I was released a day early (the day before mother�s day) because I was doing so great and really wanted to get home to see my first born son. I wasn�t prepared for how much I would miss him. I haven�t been away from him overnight since his birth and the longest I�ve been away is 5 hrs during the day. It was like withdrawal not to have him to play with or hold or care for. I wanted to get back into the swing of things as soon as possible. |